David Connolly, the incoming administrator of the Northern Territory, has faced backlash for making disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and attributing crime in the region to First Nations people. Connolly, set to assume his new role next month as the representative of King Charles, previously served as president of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and was appointed by the territory’s Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro.
Concerns have emerged following the discovery of past social media posts by Connolly that have since been deleted. These posts included controversial opinions on First Nations and transgender issues. In one instance, Connolly made a troubling joke about the Greens in reference to domestic violence, stating, “According to the Greens I was supposed to go home and committ (sic) domestic violence.” In a separate post, he expressed a harsh view on Indigenous land management practices, labeling them as “arson” and questioning the effectiveness of such actions.
The role of administrator is traditionally viewed as nonpartisan, and critics are now questioning Connolly’s ability to fulfill this expectation. Geoffrey Watson, director of the Centre for Public Integrity, suggested that the government should reconsider Connolly’s appointment before he officially begins his tenure.
Controversial Speech Revealed
Compounding the controversy is a speech Connolly delivered at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association conference earlier this year. In this address, he criticized “leftwing” activists and expressed vehement opposition to the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament, calling it “arrogant” and “ignorant.” He further accused Albanese of dishonesty regarding his commitment to represent all Australians, particularly in light of the prime minister’s comments on the 2011 live export case.
Connolly’s remarks extended to a critique of crime policies in the territory, where he suggested that “soft Labor party policies” and a “weak judiciary” contribute to crime issues. He controversially stated, “The main group of people perpetrating these criminal actions have been in Australia for 60,000 years,” implying that current crime problems cannot be attributed to Australia’s colonial past.
Finocchiaro defended Connolly’s appointment, despite the controversy surrounding his social media history. Opposition leader Selena Uibo has called for a reassessment of Connolly’s suitability for the role, emphasizing the need for the administrator to unite the community and represent all Territorians with integrity and respect.
Future Implications
Connolly has yet to publicly address the backlash following the resurfacing of his previous statements. Reports indicate that his social media account was deleted after inquiries from journalists. After his appointment announcement in December, Connolly assured the public that he would refrain from expressing political opinions in his official capacity, stating, “This position is not a political position.”
Despite acknowledging his reputation for firm opinions, Connolly remarked, “I don’t offer offence, but you are free to take it.” His previous speeches, including one in 2023, highlighted his belief that left-leaning agendas dominate public discourse, suggesting that dissenting opinions are often marginalized.
In response to questions about Connolly during a recent press conference, Finocchiaro reiterated her confidence in his ability to prioritize the interests of the territory. “We’ve selected someone who’s going to fight for the territory and put our economy first,” she stated.
As Connolly prepares to take on his new role, the unfolding situation raises significant questions about the future of governance in the Northern Territory and the expectations placed on its leadership.
